willow://namespace.subspace/path names an entry (the words stand in for keys); a digest pins a payload; ?area with limits names an area; a hint is only where to look first.

Links are how the model reaches the rest of the web.

A Willow URI starts with willow colon slash slash. Then the namespace, a dot, the subspace, and the path. Family and alfie stand in for keys.

Add a digest, and it names one exact payload.

Add the word area, and it names everything under that shelf.

An area URI can carry a count, a size, and a time range. The same limits sync uses.

It can also carry a hint: a place to look first. The name is the address. The hint is directions.

Check yourself. What does adding ?area to a URI change?